Water and Sewer Advisory Committee - 17 Apr 2025 11:30 AM

Key decisions

• Integrated Planning and Reporting framework noted
  The committee recommended noting Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework and councillor-identified priorities for the 2025–2029 period and Delivery Program.
  This helps shape Council priorities and future service planning, including water and sewer-related decision-making.
• Mullumbimby water supply strategy project design supported with conditions
  The committee recommended noting the proposed high-level project design, giving staff feedback to improve it, keeping the committee informed of later design changes, and considering investigations previously requested by the committee in July 2024.
  This affects long-term planning for Mullumbimby’s water supply and may influence future infrastructure choices, service reliability, and value for ratepayers.
• Byron STP Wetlands Monitoring Report noted
  The committee recommended noting the Byron STP Wetlands Monitoring Report.
  This relates to environmental monitoring associated with sewer infrastructure in the Byron area.

Important topics

• Long-term water supply planning for Mullumbimby
  The project aim is to provide evidence-based recommendations for Council to decide on a long-term water supply strategy for Mullumbimby, with emphasis on sustainable and efficient water services and best value to ratepayers.
  Residents and ratepayers in Mullumbimby may be affected by future water supply options, costs, and service resilience.
• Utilities status reporting
  An Infrastructure Services Utilities Monthly Status Report for December 2024 to February 2025 was listed for information only, but no decision was recorded because quorum was lost before the meeting ended.
  This indicates ongoing reporting on water and sewer utility operations, though no committee action was taken at this meeting.
• Meeting ended early after quorum was lost
  After a member left at 12:53 pm, quorum was lost and the Chair declared the meeting closed.
  This limited the committee’s ability to consider remaining business.

Resident impacts

• Mullumbimby water supply planning will continue, with the committee seeking ongoing updates and inclusion of earlier requested investigations.
• Council’s broader 2025–2029 planning priorities were acknowledged, which may guide future water and sewer service decisions.
• Environmental monitoring of the Byron STP wetlands remains on the committee’s agenda.
• No further business was decided after quorum was lost.

Places affected

• Mullumbimby (town)
  Subject of the long-term water supply strategy project plan.
• Byron STP (facility)
  Sewage treatment plant associated with the wetlands monitoring report.
• Station Street, Mullumbimby (road/location)
  Meeting venue location.

Next steps

• Staff to continue refining the Mullumbimby water supply strategy project design using committee feedback.
  Ongoing
• Council to keep the committee informed of subsequent changes to the Mullumbimby project design, including between meetings.
  Ongoing
• Council to consider investigations previously requested by the committee in its 19 July 2024 minutes as part of the Mullumbimby project.
  During project development

Extracted minutes text

Minutes of Meeting Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Meeting Venue Conference Room, Station Street, Mullumbimby Date Thursday, 17 April 2025 Time 11:30 AM BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 17 APRIL 2025 W S A C W a t e r a n d S e w e r A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e M e e t i n g p a g e 3 Minutes of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Meeting held on Thursday, 17 April 2025 File No: I2025/491 PRESENT: Councillors: Cr S Ndiaye (Mayor) Zoom Cr M Lyon Zoom Cr E Hauge (Chair) Present Staff: Christopher Soulsby (Acting Director Infrastructure Services) Present Cameron Clark (Manager Utilities) Present Pablo Orams (Integrated Water Management Officer)...